1 Consumer Preferences and Polices related to Genetically Modified Foods

Uses of biotechnology in agriculture are widespread in the United States, in particular in production of corn, soy and milk. These foods are used in many processed foods, thus use of biotechnology-derived ingredients is widespread in the U.S. food supply (1,2). National surveys indicate American consumers have been generally supportive of food biotechnology (3,4,5). In surveys conducted between 1997 and 2001, 50-60 % of consumers stated that they were likely to purchase vegetables that had been modified by biotechnology to taste better or fresher and more than 70 % stated they were likely to purchase vegetables modified to be protected from insect damage (5). Although American consumers have expressed general acceptance of food biotechnology, there is also a lack of knowledge about the topic. For example, 41 % of 1,002 participants in a 1999 survey felt they did not have enough information to form an opinion about using biotechnology in seeds or plants (4). Only 36 % of 1000 respondents surveyed in 2001 were aware that foods produced through biotechnology are currently sold in the supermarket (5). There was massive media coverage of a recall of products made with StarLink corn in 2000. However in a January 2001 survey, 53 % o